The Police High Command has sought to clarify what was thought to be the transfer of the head of the Anti-Lotto Scam Unit Superintendent Leon Clunis.
The High Commanded in a release has stated that Superintendent Clunis remains as head of the task force, with full autonomy to execute his duties and with the full support of the Police High Command.
Last week's Police Force Orders published the transfer of Superintendent Clunis to the Office of the Commissioner of Police, and specifically to the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Task Force (MOCA).
However, the High Command has indicated that this transfer is simply to align the functions of the Anti-Lottery Scam Unit with the newly formed MOCA within the JCF chain of command.
It further stated that the decision to place the Lottery Scam Unit under MOCA was also a policy decision that was made since the conceptualisation of MOCA and not in the last three weeks.
It explains that the decision was also based on the fact that lottery scamming has been designated a Tier One threat under the National Security Policy.
The High command added that all MOCA staff, including the full staff complement of the Unit are now assigned to the office of the Commissioner of Police and have island wide responsibility to lead on countering the Lottery Scam which is impacting most Police Divisions.
The head of the Anti-Lottery Scam Unit reports directly to the Director of MOCA, who reports to the Commissioner of Police.
The High Command notes that this close reporting relationship emphasises the level of importance the High Command places on the work and success of the Lottery Task Force.
Los Angeles man arrested
Meanwhile, in the United States a 42-year-old Los Angeles man was arrested earlier this week in connection to a lottery scam perpetrated on a Danville California resident, according to the Danville Police Department.
He is 42-year-old Harold Donald.
A report from the Danville Patch website stated that the Police claim that he contacted a Danville resident by phone and told the person they had won the Jamaican Lottery, but in order to claim their winnings they would have to pay taxes and fees up-front.
After paying a significant amount to the suspect, the victim became suspicious and contacted Danville Police.
The investigation led detectives to Los Angeles, and in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, a search warrant was served and Donald was arrested on suspicion of theft under false pretenses.
They believe that more charges may be filed pending additional investigation.
The Danville Police used the arrest to warn residents to be on the lookout for scams similar to this one, and to contact the police immediately if approached.
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